UPDATE: Man charged with murder in crash says evil presence took control of his car

In a jailhouse interview, Ronald Leavell said his car did cause the crash but he lost control of it.

KTNV

The crash was reported near Tropicana Avenue and Fort Apache Road.

KTNV

UPDATE: MAY 26

This is supposed to be a happy time, a time to celebrate. Instead, Ruby Munoz said she and her family will be mourning the death of her son-in-law to be, Gerardo Villicana Jr. "Its' going to be happy for a moment, mostly sad," Munoz said.

Gerardo was the father of a little girl, Sade, and the fiance of Munoz's daughter Kristina Figueroa. "She can't eat, she can't sleep, the baby's up all night, crying," Munoz said.

The couple was planning a baby shower for the arrival of their little boy. “Knowing he's not going to be there, my daughter is going to be broken once again," Munoz said.

Family and friends called him junior.

He was killed after a Camaro slammed into his ford fiesta. “It was the worst thing, the worst thing we ever felt," Munoz said.

The Clark County District Attorney said Ronald Leavell was behind the wheel of that Camaro. “How dare you, how dare you not stop," Munoz said.

The D.A. said Leavell was high on marijuana, driving more than 100-miles-an-hour. “What was going through your mind? I wish you could answer that for me Ronald," She said.

Leavell denied the allegations, saying he's not guilty, offering up a bizarre defense, saying an evil presence took over his car. "That's bull. He took over the car. He was behind the wheel. He chose to drive that fast."

And now, junior's children will grow up never knowing their father. "Watching my daughter suffer, my granddaughter would ask for her dad, the worst thing that you could ever go through in a life time," Munoz said.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office has filed a second degree murder charge against Ronald Leavell for taking the life of Gerardo Villicana Jr. in a crash earlier this month.

In a jailhouse interview, Leavell said his car did cause the crash but he lost control of it.

"I wish it would've been my life that day," he said.

Leavell said he is not guilty and denies being high on marijuana and driving more than 100 miles an hour.

His defense is an evil presence took control of his car.

"An individual like Mr. Leavell who drives in excess of 100 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a residential neighborhood and fails to even slow down – let alone stop – at a 4 way stop sign, all while high on marijuana, clearly has acted in complete and willful disregard of the rights and safety of anyone and everyone in his proximity," according to a statement released by the DA's Office. "That type of malicious conduct makes this case different and elevates it to murder."

“This tragedy rises to a level far greater than your typical DUI case,” said DA Steve Wolfson in a statement. “The total disregard for human life cannot, and will not, be tolerated. Leavell’s actions cry out for severe consequences."

The crash occurred May 9 at the intersection of Tompkins Avenue and Tee Pee Lane.

Evidence at the scene and witness statements revealed that a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, driven by Leavell, was traveling eastbound on Tompkins Avenue at a high rate of speed approaching a posted 2-way stop sign at Tee Pee Lane. The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro continued through the stop sign at a reckless speed resulting in an impact with a 2013 Ford Fiesta that was northbound on Tee Pee Lane crossing Tompkins Avenue.

The front of the Chevrolet Camaro struck the left front side of the Ford Fiesta and both vehicles continued east of the intersection. The Chevrolet Camaro spun in multiple counter-clockwise rotations and came to rest on Tompkins Avenue over 700 feet from the impact. The severe impact caused the engine and transmission of the Ford Fiesta to become dislodged from the vehicle and continue in a southeast direction.

The detached engine and transmission destroyed a section of the north block wall bordering the Apache Pines Apartments.

The rear of the Ford Fiesta sideswiped the left rear side of the Ford Transit Van and then continued rotating clockwise until coming to rest on Tompkins Avenue approximately 400 feet from the impact.

The driver of the Chevrolet Camaro was transported by ambulance to UMC Trauma for serious injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet Camaro exhibited signs of impairment and was booked in absentia for DUI-Death.